Is it true that when in labour, you have to stay at home so as not to bother the people in the hospital?

Question

When, then, should you go there? How do you know that it's time to disturb them?

Answer 1

I don't think that is why they have you stay home or even send you back home once you have arrived. The truth is hospitals are often overcrowded and understaffed. If they (hospital) can have you spend a few extra hours or even days at home going through normal labor until you can't stand it any longer and then come in they have extra space and time for other mom's to be who may have complications. I was sent home when I was 2cm dilated and told I would be more comfortable at home, spent the rest of the day in hard labor until I got so tired I couldn't take it anymore, went back to the hospital, was 7cm dilated and delivered like 2hours later. I believe that when your contractions come every 2 to 4 mins apart you should be on your way to the hospital, given of course that everything else is progressing normally.

Answer 2

well its not so you don't bother them, but if you go too early they can just easily send you home and tell you to come back when things have progressed.

Your best bet is to ring them when you think you are in labour at any stage. They will tell you what to do next. Usually you wait at home till the contractions are 5mins apart and lasting for 1-2mins at a time. If you were to go into the hospital with contractions 8-10 mins apart and irregular in time and strength then it is not true labour and you are better off at home where you can rest comfortably. You are only going to be disappointed when they send you home.

Ringing them when you aren't sure is always worth doing and this way you know for sure when you are to go in or not. Some women take 2 days of irregular labour before they need to go to hospital, others take a couple of hours. Also if there is a full labour ward the nurses will just sit you in a room and not be able to stay with you which means again that you are probably better off at home.

However, if you are ever unsure, or things are happening very quickly and painfully then go to the hospital. It is better to be safe than sorry and be sent home then to risk any problems.

Good luck

Answer 3

First off, not you don't have to stay home, you are not disturbing them. That is there job. Second, as to when you are to go to the hospital--- that is something you need to find ouf from your doctor. He is the only person that knows what is going on with you. Everyone one on here is going to tell you not to go til the contractions are 5 mins. or closer. Find out from your your doctor. 3 weeks ago. I went into labor and didn't know it since it didn't feel anything like what the ladies had decribed it on here, plus my contractions where 10 mins. apart. After several hours of hurting. My parents made me go to the hospital and when I got there it was at 9.5 and had to have an emergaincy c-section because my placenta had abropted. My contractions didn't get closer together til I was being wheeling into the OR, and then they went from being 10 mins apart to being on top of each other.

So please talk to your doctor about all this. Don't alway take the ward of what people say on here, it might not be the same for you. And also, anytime something doesn't feel right , go to the hospital.

Answer 4

No, that's not true at all.
When in labour, you can go in to hospital if you are overly scared/worried about something and not coping with the labour or your contractions are around 5 minutes apart or you have more than a small amount of bleeding/meconium(baby poo) in waters or you can feel the umbilical cord protruding.
Usually when your contractions are around 5 minutes apart is an ideal time to head off to the hospital.
Also hospitals are used to the noise and because the labour ward is usually a fair distance away from other wards, there shouldn't be any problems with noise upsetting other people.

Answer 5

No, its not true that you are bothering them. The main concern is staffing and availability of rooms for women in labor. Secondly, women tend to labor better at home because you are more comfortable with your environment. Once labor has begun, call your doctor and he/she will instruct you on what to do. Most doctors advise you to go to the hospital when your contractions are 3-5 minutes apart and last 1-2 minutes. Or, if your water breaks before then, doctors will often tell you to head to the hospital. I went to the hospital when my contractions were 5 minutes apart 1 minute long, and I wasn't in too much pain yet, and I spent another 29 hours laboring at the hospital before my daughter was born. I wish I would've waited longer at home so that I wasn't committed to the hallways of the maternity wing hooked up to an IV in a hospital gown. Good Luck!

Answer 6

Well no, it's not so you don't "bother" them. You have to call your doctor and he or she will tell you when to go, because there is nothing that the hospital can do for you until you are in real labor. It never hurts to give them a call though to make sure. They are just looking out for your comfort more than anything.

Answer 7

you go to the hospital when you feel you need to, you will
be going into the maternity section and they wont be disturbed,
that is what they are there for, to help you through your labor
and the birth of your baby, talk to your midwife or doctor, they
will be able to answer any questions you have, don't let
anybody tell you that you must stay home if you feel better being
at the hospital.

Answer 8

No thats not true. If you are in labor and want to go to the hospital to be checked then go. Once your labor contractions are between five and three minutes then GO! But if you are concerned before that then go and get checked out- even if they send you home you are not bothering them! Thats their job.

Answer 9

When labour starts, yes it would be wise to stay home. Depending on contractions and if your water has broken. There is no law saying you cant go to the hospital though. If its hurting to the point that you cant stand it then I would say go.

Answer 10

thats what the hospital is there for! if you are in labor...go to the hospital!!! they might send you home...but you'll probably just come right back! lol.